with two unusual visitors to the pre-release unit in jessup, maryland. meet lynn and sheila. you wanted to give knitting needles to hardened criminals. is that a good idea? >> for a man to have picked up needles to walk through that door, to say come on, let me teach you thousahow to knit, to respond to knitting, they've shown themselves as open people. >> reporter: would male inmates have interest in a hobby traditionally for women? >> wrap it around. >> reporter: lynn and sheila still remember the department of corrections' initial response. >> they don't want to knit. what makes you think men want to knit? i said they want to knit. they just don't know they want to knit. >> you like it, right? >> reporter: nearly three years later, the ladies have taught more than 100 prisoners to knit while dozens remain on a waiting list. some of the inmates have even skipped dinner to make class. >> i feel calm. it gives you a peace of mind. it definitely do that. give you a peace of mind. takes you away from present. >> reporter: something to focus on. >> pretty much. >> reporter: nell